At what point does the CPU become unstable from high temperature? I have Athlon XP 1600+ AGOIA Y only doing 1.7GHz stable @ 1.80V, but my load temps rise to 65C At 1.85V I am almost at 70C. There is something really wrong with my watercooling? I could be getting better temps on air. Could my temps limit my CPU, coz I've seen almost every AGOIA Y hit 1.8GHz easily. What's wrong with mine? Any ideas?

My waterblock uses 1mm base plate and is a simple maze. Pump is rated at 212 gph paired up with a large heatercore with 2 120mm fans. My water has the room temp, which is about 21C. Only thing I can think of is that the base plate is to thin for the low gph pump like mine. Or maybe my waterblock design is somehow faulty.

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Erm, are you using a thermal paste? 65c is too hot even for bog standard air cooling! the base is a little thin the heat will be concentrated at the centre of the block and wont be utilising the whole surface area of the block. It may be worht soldering a copper plate to the bottom of the block, or buying a new block.

Everyone has covered the major stuff already but I will add one thing quickly.

I noticed when running XP's watercooled and using the socket thermistor for temp readings that the temp would be higher than if using a good HSF. This was solely because of lack of airflow around and under the socket that an HSF creates. I determined through testing that the core itself was cooler but the thermistor underneath wasn't. I positioned a small fan to circulate air around the socket and all was fine.

Now days I run a Northy watercooled and this is not an issue. Good luck.

Originally posted by S_Wilson Everyone has covered the major stuff already but I will add one thing quickly.

I noticed when running XP's watercooled and using the socket thermistor for temp readings that the temp would be higher than if using a good HSF. This was solely because of lack of airflow around and under the socket that an HSF creates. I determined through testing that the core itself was cooler but the thermometer underneath wasn't. I positioned a small fan to circulate air around the socket and all was fine.

Now days I run a Northy watercooled and this is not an issue. Good luck.

Nope, readings are from the thermal diode inside the CPU. They are always higher than those taken under the CPU. Yes, air flow will effect under-the-CPU sensor, but not the internal one.

BTW, my waterblock is not lapped very good, but how does it matter? It will make a difference of 3C at most. Also, I'm using AS3, but I might've set block up the wrong. Uneven.

Nope, readings are from the thermal diode inside the CPU. They are always higher than those taken under the CPU. Yes, air flow will effect under-the-CPU sensor, but not the internal one.

BTW, my waterblock is not lapped very good, but how does it matter? It will make a difference of 3C at most. Also, I'm using AS3, but I might've set block up the wrong. Uneven.

I don't have any experience with the on die diode but I know that airfow has little effect. The mobos I used did not take advantage of that.

If your waterblock is mounted uneven, the base is not true or has large grooves then that will hurt your cooling effect. Remember that you are trying to move a large amount of heat from a very small surface and AS3 can only do so much which is not as good as perfect metal to metal contact. The Xp core is very fragile and and susceptible to crushing and hot spots that can blow your core. If your block is not right or mounted properly then fix it immediately before you have a larger problem.

Originally posted by fvr If I bring my temps down to 45ish, will I see 1.9GHz?

Can't give you a difinitive answer, but if you lap it and apply a goo thin layer of AS III (I use Nanotherm Bllue) you may certainly have a good chance of doing so. Remember that when you push things to the limit that small discrepancies turn into large problems, so attention to detail is imperative.

What is the effect of trapped air in watercooling system? What is the best way to release all of trapped air in watercooling system?
And, how can we check surely for no trapped air in watercooling system?